The right-handed pitcher, who was promoted to the big leagues by the Mets on Saturday, missed a non-stop flight from Las Vegas and had a layover in Atlanta at 5 a.m. before arriving in the Big Apple at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Allow Torres to explain:

“I didn’t really miss (my non-stop) but apparently I missed it. I was there organizing everything and trying to do the kiosk and ended up being about five minutes late for the 45-minute check-in. But I’m like, ‘The flight’s still here, I have priority boarding, I can go through, right? There’s nobody here.’ But they couldn’t get me on.”

Torres said he tried to play the “I’m a major league baseball player” card, but to no avail.

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old is glad to be back in the bigs again. “It’s awesome,” he said.

Torres exercised a clause in his contract Friday that gave the Mets 48 hours to either promote him or release him. He is coming off consecutive complete games in the minors and has won his last five starts.

Torres will pitch out of the bullpen for the Mets and could give them 2-3 innings at least, manager Terry Collins said. He has not pitched since June 9.

“Obviously, lately he’s been outstanding,” Collins said. “Two complete games, and when you do that pitching in Las Vegas, that says a lot. I talked to Wally (Backman) the other day and he said he would be the one guy he’d recommend if we needed help.”

Greg Burke, despite having allowed just one earned run in his last 12 2/3 innings, was demoted.

“It comes down to options,” Collins said. “You hate to admit it, but there are guys you can move and there are guys you can’t.”

• Jordany Valdespin worked with infield coach Tim Teufel on his footwork turning double plays at second base before Sunday’s game. The Mets are currently experimenting with playing Valdespin at second; for the most part, it has not gone well.